JaxPort’s game plan

Future container growth hinges on deeper ship channel, new intermodal rail facility. The Port of Jacksonville continues to diversify its cargo base, but is still intent on capturing container cargo destined for Florida because containers have the largest compound annual growth rate for commodities handled by ports, Chief Executive Officer Brian Taylor said in a recent conference call with American Shipper ’s editorial team. JaxPort, assuming it can get federal permission and funding to deepen the St. Johns River to 47 feet for larger vessels and correct the Mile Point navigational impediment, is “ideally positioned” to steal about 250,000 TEUs of annual cargo from West Coast and South Atlantic ports that enters the state by truck,...